Take exit 47, park at the Franklin Falls / Denny Creek trail head because the Melakwa Lake TH is closed due to funding. Cross the bridge and head to the right, pass a bunch of cabins and you'll come to the TH. Once you reach the Denny Creek slabs, cross the river and head straight for the forest on the opposite shore. You'll see a sign that says "Main Trail." After this just stay on the trail through lots of switchbacks, a few talus fields, and then more switchbacks as you make your way up the valley. Eventually the trail levels out and begins dropping toward the lake. You'll see a marked fork in the path for Melakwa lake, follow that and you'll soon be at the lake.
The parking lot is insane on the weekends, but if you don't mind cutting it close to dark, arrive around 2:30pm and steal a spot as people start to leave. Once past Denny Creek you'll have the trail to yourself, and the lake too. I spent a total of 5.5 hours, car to car, including about 45 minutes of relaxing and taking photos, so I made it back to my car at 8pm with plenty of light left in the sky.
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